Festive Post Office Opens at Derby Market Hall

A post office with a direct line to Lapland has opened at Derby Market Hall in the Cathedral Quarter for local children to deliver their letters to Santa. Mrs Claus’ Post Office has opened ahead of the Market Hall’s Winter Wonderland which will launch on Thursday December 1 as part of the historic venue’s one-going 150th anniversary celebrations.

A programme of traditional Christmas-themed activities, local music, variety and dance performances and interactive workshops have been organised for the whole family to enjoy. There will be a Santa’s Grotto on key days as well as a roaming pantomime and ‘elfie selfie’ trail. Market Hall traders will also be joined by local handcraft makers offering a wide range of unusual gifts. The Winter Wonderland is produced by Derby arts organisation Furthest from the Sea in association with the Market Hall, Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID), Derby LIVE and Foulds Music in Iron Gate.

Matt McGuinness from Furthest from the Sea said: “Following the fantastic day of Victorian entertainment to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Market Hall opening, we are looking forward to returning there to create a Winter Wonderland for visitors to enjoy. “The fun starts at the beginning of December but Mrs Claus’ post office is already open for children to deliver their letters and wish lists. “We then look forward to everyone returning to meet the ‘man’ himself and all his helpers and entertainers.”

Linda Aston is chair of the Market Hall Traders Association and member of the Cathedral Quarter management group, which drives activities under the area’s BID status. She said: “From historical records – the Market Hall’s first Christmas 150 years ago was met with huge excitement from the people of Derby and beyond and I hope that this special programme of entertainment will re-create that festive atmosphere. “The opening anniversary celebrations in September were very well received by both the businesses here and by visitors – many of whom re-discovered our special kind of retail theatre. “I am sure the Winter Wonderland will be just as popular – particularly with all the excitement surrounding the Cathedral Quarter reaching the final of the Great British High Street Awards.”

The Cathedral Quarter is one of three locations in the city location category of the Great British High Street Awards – up against Broadmead in Bristol and the Castle Arcade district of Norwich. 50% of the overall vote will be decided by an online free of charge public vote at www.greatbritishhighstreet.co.uk . People can vote with multiple email addresses once a day for their choice with voting closing at midnight on November 18.

For more information about all the events and entertainment happening in the run up to Christmas in the Cathedral Quarter, visit www.derbycathedralquarter.co.uk, follow on Twitter @DerbyCQ and like the Facebook page cathedralquarterderby.